From all I have read they used SOHC 5.4 engines in all E series vans. Looked at a nice one today with a twin cam set up. Code shows 5.4. It came from California, so is that the reason? Not to excited about the twin cam engine.

 

I didn't think they ever came stock, an would need a big shoehorn to fit one into a E Vans..

 

It has 2 cams on it, one on each head.

 

code 5.4L is actually a 3 valve engine as I further researched. Not a SOHC engine. I am confused as from the different sites I have visited, they used the SOHC engine in the econoline until 2014. I past on the van because of the engine.

 

Not in a van, it's too big if I understand right, but would be interesting to see someone stuff one in an Econoline.

 

What makes you think it was a twin cam engine? 3 valve engines are SOHC and not available in vans as far as I know.

 

The valve covers both have the raised area in the front to accommodate the timing chain sprockets.

 

Sounds like a 2 valve.
Google image search the 4 valve, it looks different than a 2 valve.
The 2 valve has larger humps over the cam sprockets than a 4 valve, the 4 valve has smaller cam sprockets.

 

Correct me if I am mistaken, but, if you are driving 2 timing chains with chain tensioners etc. You would be using cam phasers etc. This is not what I have a picture in my mind of when the term SOHC is used. I think of lifters in the valley lifting push rods to operate the valves. The top sprockets would be driving 1 cam each with lobes to open and close the valves. I am no ford xpert but, thats the way I see it.

 

Single OverHead Cam has one cam over the head. On a V8 that really means one cam over each head.

Pushrods up from the valley means the cam is in the valley too, which is under the heads. No pushrods involved in a SOHC engine.

 

That is common to all these modular motors, it's the location of the bump that will tell you if it's a sohc or dohc. On the dohc the larger cam sprocket is on the exhaust cam so it is towards the outside of head while it is centered over the head with sohc models.

 

Yes sir, you are mistaken.
It is easiest to learn it in the progression of how the technology came to market.

Early V8s were flatheads, which had everything in the block, 1 cam, valves, rotating assembly, etc. The head is a thick slab of metal which closes the top of the combustion chamber and has no moving parts.
*note that "center head" is sometimes used to refer to a V8 intake manifold. It doesn't really pertain to this discussion, just thought I would throw that in there.

The next big thing was Over Head Valve which still has 1 cam in the block valley and uses push rods to actuate the valves which are above the combustion chamber at the top of the head. This design makes a better flow path for the air/fuel mixture than the hard turns necessary in a flat head. Move more air, make more power.

And that brings us to the Over Head Cam portion of our presentation this evening. As the name implies, the cam is situated at the top of the head, above the valves, which are in turn above the combustion chambers.
This package makes multiple (more than 2) valves per cylinder possible and also makes variable valve timing easier. And we like that because more valves can equate to moving more air and making more power, and the VVT can be tuned to make higher torque off the line and higher horsepower at higher RPM.

A single overhead cam (SOHC) engine has one cam per head. So on a V8 engine that equals 2 cams in total. Ford has been using this design in modular V8s since the early 90s in cars and since model year 1997 in the F & E series.

A dual over head cam (DOHC) engine has 2 cams per head. And on a V8 that means 4 cams total. These designations are universal, every manufacturer utilizes the same nomenclature.

Ford "3 valve" engines V8 & V10 are SOHC.
They have a noticeable round hump at the forward end of the "valve cover". The DOHC Ford engines have smaller cam sprockets so the hump in the valve cover over the cam sprockets is not as pronounced. If you see noticeable humps, it is a safe bet that it is not DOHC.

When I read a VIN report it always says my trucks feature "dual front shocks" so I think cool, real heavy duty 4 wheel drive off road stuff there. But all that means is that you get one per front tire. So duals in this case is somewhat of a misnomer.

 

never to old to learn. Guess I should have bought that van after all.